The Saudi Red Sea Authority has issued new licences to three marina operators in an effort to boost tourism in the Red Sea. The three operators to receive licenses are Aljar Marina tourism company (Yanbu), Al Ahlam Marine Tourism in Albuhairat city (Jeddah), and Pearl Marina Chartering Company (Jeddah).
The grant of the licenses mentioned above continues Saudi Arabia’s plans to open up the Red Sea for maritime tourism. In the past year, SRSA awarded an has an operator license to Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina, the first international harbor to receive this license. Meanwhile, six tourist yacht agents in Saudi Arabia received yacht tourism licenses. The regional and international companies to receive licenses from SRSA include Faisal M. Higgi & Associates Co. Ltd., Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo, Hill Robinson, JLS Yachts LLC, GAC, and HASCO Group.
The Saudi Red Sea Authority is a government entity formed in 2021 to build and regulate the coastal tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. Over the past three years, SRSA has enhanced integration between the relevant parties through issuing licenses and permits, developing requisite strategies and policies, adding safeguards to preserve the marine environment, and determining the requirements for marine infrastructure.
In addition, NEOM’s Sindalah Island Marina received a construction license and a marine tourism marina operator license. Sindalah Marina welcomed its first group of superyachts in late October, as part of Red Sea Week, with 53 vessels in attendance for the launch. The marina, which accommodates 79 berths for superyachts up to 180 meters in length, boosted superyacht traffic in the Red Sea.
Other marine tourism marina operator licenses issued by SRSA were awarded to Dolphin Beach Resort in Yanbu and Jeddah Municipality Marina. In addition, with plans to expand the tourist experience, Red Sea Cruises (Cruise Saudi) received a cruise ship operator license, other cruise vessels were granted route licenses, and four yacht companies were granted technical recreational tourism licenses.